Chicken Soup for the Single Girl During Wedding Season's Soul

Scrolling through a friend's wedding photos she had recently published online, I found the wedding to be one of beauty, happiness and joy. She's a wonderful person and an amazing friend, which I had to keep reminding myself of as the strangest feeling came over me. After contemplating and ruling out that it was the 92+ degrees in NYC today getting to me or maybe that Lean Cuisine I ate for lunch was expired, I came to terms with the fact that this feeling was indeed jealousy.

This is not my first encounter with cant-stop-looking-through-every-photo-in-your-wedding-album-itis and I have come to the conclusion that getting married when you're 22 may look like fun ladies but after the wedding album and the honeymoon album, the 'married life' album always follows. This album includes pictures of the couple doing monotonous things with captions that they think are funny like "Mike doing the laundry...for once!" or "I <3 being domestic". The fact that these photos are the highlights of these couples lives and the moments they want to share with everyone make me want to cling to my dating years not unlike Hugh Hefner has to his.

While I may not be so ready to settle down, as long as it's wedding season (and it is up until October), I'm more than happy to use these youngster's nuptials as a platform for showing off my fashionable self to all the single men out there. Here are some things for all of the other single ladies out there to keep in mind to help you rise above the I'm-gonna-kill-myself-if-I'm-not-married-by-the-time-I'm-30 woes:

-Wear something sexy without looking slutty to the wedding.

This may seem like an obvious plan of action but you'd be surprised how often women get this wrong. In my experience, one can never go wrong with an exposed back. It's sexy and more unexpected than showing a lot of cleavage or sporting a really short hemline. This Literature Noir pink backless dress is perfect for attending a daytime summer wedding. While its hemline could be considered short, the neckline is conservative enough to make it appropriate. You can get it for $225 from www.Kitson.com. Pair it with some nude heels and skip on the jewelry unless it's a simple ring or bracelet. Style some loose waves in your hair and voila! Sexy without being slutty. Done.

Another option that's great for attending a daytime or nighttime ceremony is a maxi dress. Floral prints or bright colors are ideal for summer and this one from ASOS is $126.82. It would be great with both flats or heels in a camel color. Wear your hair in a messy side bun and choose minimal jewelry to ensure a flawless, and effortless, summer look. Find it at www.ASOS.com.

-Don't be the pale one.

Using the tanning bed is horrible for you and getting spray tanned at a professional salon can run you $30 a session. Luckily, there's an easier and cheaper way than ever to give yourself a little summer glow for a special occasion: L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Salon Perfect Airbrush Mist is available at www.Walmart.com for only $8.97 and I swear, it works. My friends and I just try on what we're wearing for the night, identify which parts of our skin will be showing and spray them. Easy as that. Anything that turns out splotchy can be blended easily with a large makeup brush.

-Remember...

You have the rest of your life to be tied down. Enjoy having no one to please but yourself while you still can!

If you haven't been to The Market...

...you need to go ASAP. The Market NYC, located at 268 Mulberry Street in SOHO, is a jem of a place that's overflowing with unique vendors willing to sell you their distinctive creations for bargain prices. From stunning vintage frocks from the 50's, to one-of-a-kind pocket watches from the 30's to original graphic tees by up-and-coming designers of today, The Market is entertaining to simply walk around and look at everything that's there, even if you don't buy anything (but, who are we kidding, you will).

I was "just browsing" and ventured upon jewelry designer Alexandra Beth's table and couldn't help myself. Her Hamsa bracelet, which is a symbol for protection used often in the Middle East and Africa, was simple and beautiful. I opted for the coral and turquoise combo and snagged it for only $15. It's great to wear on its own or stack with other pieces. She also had a bunch of very trendy studded-leather wrap bracelets that I plan on going back to purchase soon!

Another stand that caught my eye was a vintage jewelry vendor whose name has escaped me but you'll know it's her when you see her stuff. Her table was full of some of the most interesting vintage pieces I've seen, ranging from a Victorian magnifying glass necklace to a collection of discrete pocket knives in a range of forms, one being a golden peanut on a necklace chain. My friend purchased a vintage golden locket from the 30's that had happened to have a B on it, and her name being Bonnie, she just couldn't resist. She had her lengthen the chain and got it all for only $50. There are no duplicates in her collection and everything had a very original feel.

The only downside to this place was the lack of AC. I was sweating through my blouse like I was in a Spring Break wet t-shirt contest-but, it was totally worth it. I looked at it as having a poor-man's Marisa Miller moment, just rocking the sweat like it's supposed to be there, minus the abs and plus frizz in my hair, but close enough.

The Market also takes credit cards. What more could you ask for :).

Lovin' Me Some Flea

My idea of a flea market is a scary place my grandmother used to drag me to in the boonies of Florida in the deadly heat of summer; the many tables piled with belongings that had long surpassed their lifespan were being manned by toothless residents of nearby neighborhoods and the most I ever got out of these outings was a barbie with an interesting homemade haircut from the previous owner and gumballs from the 25 cent candy dispenser. Not a place I ever planned to go back to once I could make the choice for myself.

But, I've found a place that has changed my mind and, dare I say, made me a flea market enthusiast. Well, an enthusiast for the Brooklyn Flea anyway. If you New Yorkers out there haven't discovered it yet, it's one of those places that you'll spend an entire Saturday wandering around and when it hits 7 p.m. you'll wish the day didn't have to end.

Seriously, this is coming from an ex-flea market HATER. But, the vendors that set up shop on Saturdays and Sundays at the Brooklyn Flea have something for everyone. From The Good Batch's handmade stroopwafels stuffed with white chocolate filling to vintage duds by Neen for any fashionista with an eye for originality, anyone that treasures things unique and unexpected will find something to take home from the Brooklyn Flea.